Dumfries ready to kick-start season against buoyant Accies

"This will be a tough one for us," said veteran Doonhamers all-rounder Davie Davidson, who returns for skipper Stuart Corbett-Byers, who is attending a wedding. "After a disappointingly low-key start, we have since missed out on two weeks' cricket through bad weather, but remain confident we can raise our game and win.

"Our bowlers' chief targets will be Accies' in-form overseas batsmen Dan Rixon and Gordon Reisima." New Nunholm pro Chad Breetzke, an accomplished first-grade weeketkeeper from Port Elizabeth, in South Africa, will assume the keeping duties in Byers' absence, while young seam bowler Niall Alexander replaces unavailable Robert McBride. Accies captain Kean Woodmansey is similarly upbeat, despite missing opening batsmen Niall Sellar and Nick Murden and seasoned seamer Phil Taylor, with Harry Paton and Ryan Williams returning.

"We have a strong squad," said Woodmansey, "and last week's excellent all-round performance at SMRH has further boosted confidence.

"The lads are also responding robustly to Dan's stricter training regime." Something must give. It's a fascinating prospect.

West Lothian bring in Davie Drylie for Michael Miller for the visit of hitherto-fancied Ferguslie. "We're keen to consolidate our excellent start," said Boghall spokesman Andrew Carver. Key man for the Linlithgow outfit will again be prolific pro Kruger van Wyk, who has so far smashed 221 runs in two unbeaten league innings. Ferguslie have suffered a double blow this week with the sudden return home to India of free-scoring pro Prav Mullick on urgent family business, and the breakdown of negotiations to sign Guyanan overseas amateur Troy Gonsalves.

SMRH travel to Penicuik aiming to bounce back quickly from what skipper Greg Bissett hopes was only a blip last week at home to Accies. The Inverleith outfit are greatly boosted by the arrival of two quality players in Kiwi pro George Worker and ex-Scotland cap Bryn Lockie, recruited from Carlton, Robin Crouch and Andrew Davidson stepping down. The Kirkhill men again look to some more explosive batting from pro Ryan Nurse. Powerful Renfrew bring in Ghulam Rabbani for Ryan Murray for the trip to the Tryst, where struggling Stenhousemuir, missing all-rounder Iain McDonald, will be strengthened by the eventual arrival of highly-rated pro Rushdi Jappie.The ex-South African Academy all-rounder, fresh from successful stints with Newcastle City and back home with Easterns, will team up for the first time with fellow countryman, overseas amateur Ranwill Claassen.

Unbeaten Poloc introduce ex-Rossie Priory all-rounder Russell Lauder for unavailable James Blackburn for the visit of Freuchie, whose outstanding all-rounder pro Junaid Mahsood and in-form experienced triumvirate of Cowan, Birrell and Gourlay will surely test the Shawholm resolve.

Weirs' Springbok pro Ruan du Plessis will also make his debut against unchanged Falkland on an Albert Park wicket battered by the recent wet weather. RH Corstorphine, now at full strength, will be favourites when they welcome Kelburne to Barnton.